Lorain eighth-grader says man tried to lure her into vehicle

LORAIN — An eighth-grade student at General Johnnie Wilson Middle School told police a 20- to 30-year-old man tried to pick her up as she was walking home from school.

The 14-year-old girl told police she was walking west on West 24th Street near Hamilton Avenue around 3:30 p.m. when a man driving toward her stopped and offered to give her a ride. The girl said she refused, but the man circled the block three times, each time trying to coax her into the vehicle.

The man was described as a thin, black male in his late 20s to 30s. He had a short beard, but his upper lip was shaved, the girl said.

The man had short “corn row” style braids in his hair, and he was driving a mid- to large-size royal blue vehicle that appeared to be new and in good condition. The vehicle did not have license plates, the girl said.

Officers were alerted to look out for the vehicle, according to a police report.